Norwich to Rockland CT aw

ane
P
Ha r v
ey L
Whitlingham
Great Broad
Areas of water in pale
blue are closed to boats
or not advised for the
purposes of this trail.
KIRBY
BEDON
Water’s
Edge PH
P
re
Ya
R.
of other craft and also anglers fishing from the riverbanks.
• The Broads is an ideal place to enjoy paddling, with little or no experience required.
• Please park sensibly and only use the indicated launch points.
• We advise you to wear a life jacket, and to check weather and tide information
prior to starting your trip.
• The waterways in the Broads are open to all forms of navigation so please be aware
Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2014.
wherry
graveyard
Rockland
Staithe
If you have any problems please contact Broads Control on 01603 756056,
staffed daily 9am-6pm from April to October and 9am-5pm during the winter.
If the incident is more serious please call 999 or 112 and ask for the appropriate
emergency service, which may be the coastguard.
These maps are for illustrative purposes and are not drawn to scale.
Please do not try to use them for accurate navigation.
New
Inn PH
Sh or t
Dyke
et
Fle
Strumpshaw
Fen
R.
Ya
re
steam
tower
Surlingham/
Bargate Broads
An area of dykes
and backwaters
that are a paradise
for canoeists.
The
Rockland
Broad
The
Yare
PH
Wheatfen
Surlingham
Marsh
ROCKLAND
ST MARY
P
If paddling at the weekend
keep a lookout for yachts
racing from the sailing club
near Coldham Hall pub.
SURLINGHAM
Brundall
Church Fen
BRUNDALL
Bargate
Broad
Coldham
Hall PH
Surlingham
Broad
Ferry
House PH
RSPB Church
Marsh
fishing
points
BRAMERTON
Bramerton
Common
P
Postwick
Marsh
Postwick
Reach
POSTWICK
Postwick Wharf
BRUNDALL GARDENS
Approximate distances – please allow enough time to explore and get back before dark
Norwich to Water’s Edge PH 10.5km
Surlingham to Brundall 1.5km
Surlingham to Rockland 7km
Water’s Edge PH to Surlingham 3km
Brundall to Rockland 6km
5 hour paddle
(approx. 21km/13 miles)
Whitlingham to
Rockland St Mary
46
No
rw
A1
ich
Kirby
Marsh
ct
du
a
i
Postwick
ck V
twi
s
Grove
o
P
A47
Whitlingham
Marshes
Stretches of the river
are used by water skiers so
please take care paddling
through these areas.
Signs identify the waterski
areas and give details
of when they
are open.
Thorpe
Marshes
A
ic h
Norw
ay
P
KEY
Places to get in
and out
No access beyond
this point
Parking
Whitlingham
Country Park Whitlingham P
Woods
P
Rushcutters
P PH
47
m
Caution: this is a popular area for rowing
all year round. Norwich Frostbites Club
sails in this area in the winter.
as
Cary’s
Thorpe
Meadow River Green
ar
in
THORPE HAMLET
www.enjoythebroads.com
Map by Ruth Murray
NORWICH FRINGE TO ROCKLAND CANOE TRAIL
ilw
ra
NORWICH FRINGE TO
ROCKLAND CANOE TRAIL
There are three starting points on this route.
No experience is necessary and the route is suitable for
families with children. Please check opening times and
other details for places mentioned below.
www.enjoythebroads.com
As the river takes a tight right hand bend you pass the
RSPB’s Surlingham Church Marsh Nature Reserve on
the right. If you’d like to explore the reserve, continue
to the moorings at the Ferry House pub at Surlingham
on the right. As the name suggests this is the site of an
old ferry across the river, opposite Postwick Wharf.
There are two canoe launch points on to the River Yare
at Whitlingham Country Park. One is at the eastern
end of the park near Whitlingham Woods car park,
the other is next to the Outdoor Education Centre.
Once launched, turn right from both sites and paddle
downstream towards Bramerton.
Head on towards Brundall on the left. You can moor up
at Brundall Church Fen for a short walk.
The third starting point is at Cary’s Meadow, to the
south of Thorpe Road, near Harvey Lane. The meadow
is a local nature reserve that offers an enjoyable walk
close to the city and safe access to the river.
There is a small area for parking. From the meadow,
paddle on to the River Yare and turn left towards
Thorpe River Green. Continue past the green and the
Rushcutters pub, then head under the railway bridge
and join the main route of the river. Take care in this
area as it’s also popular for rowing all year round and in
the winter the Norwich Frostbite Sailing Club members
will be out on the water. Head for the south
(Whitlingham) bank and go left downstream towards
Bramerton.
Paddle under Postwick Viaduct and pass through
Postwick Grove, once a popular destination for day
trippers from Norwich, leaving behind the bustle of the
city. As the countryside approaches the landscape
changes, with Postwick Reach giving the first glimpses
of typical Broads grazing marshes for cattle. This
stretch of river is used by water skiers so please take
extra care. Signs mark the water ski areas and show
times when they are open to skiers.
The first village you reach is Bramerton. Outside the
Water’s Edge pub you can find out about one of
Norwich’s most colourful characters, Billy Bluelight.
You now have a choice of routes. To the right a small
dyke leads to Surlingham Broad and Bargate Broad.
Alternatively stay on the main river and head for the
busy boating area of Brundall. Please be careful
paddling through here.
Once past Brundall the river changes personality again,
widening out at this point, making it easy to see how
Norwich acquired so much wealth through water
based trade. If you’re paddling at the weekend keep a
good lookout for yachts racing from the Coldham Hall
Sailing Club near the pub.
With Strumpshaw Fen on the left and Surlingham
Marsh on the right, this is an ideal stretch for seeing a
wide range of birds and other wildlife. Keep an eye out
for kingfishers, marsh harriers and otters.
Take the first dyke on the right, The Fleet, which leads
to Rockland Broad. As you cross the broad you’ll
paddle past a wherry graveyard. If you look carefully
amongst the vegetation you can still see the remains of
the timbers at low tides. Wherries were sunk there as a
way of disposing of them when they were no longer fit
to work.
Rockland Staithe is an ideal stopping point with
moorings and a shallow, sloping slipway near the New
Inn. It’s also on the Wherryman’s Way which follows the
River Yare between Norwich and Great Yarmouth
Trail map and information designed by Ruth Murray
Once past the free moorings at Bramerton Common
the river broadens out with sweeping bends marked
by woods on the right and the continuation of
Postwick Marsh on the left.
If you have any problems please contact Broads Control on 01603 756056, staffed daily 9am-6pm
from April to October and 9am-5pm during the winter. If the incident is more serious please call
999 or 112 and ask for the appropriate emergency service, which may be the coastguard.
ADVICE TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE TRAILS
Planning your trip…
And if you have your own canoe…
Wear bright clothing for high visibility and footwear
which will protect your feet.
Make sure your equipment, including a buoyancy
aid for everyone, is suitable and in good order.
Let someone know where you are going and when
you are safely off the water.
Take into account the weather forecast, tides, and water
flows and levels in relation to your equipment and
your ability, and that of others if you are in a group.
Don’t cause an obstruction when parking or obstruct
footpaths with gear.
Make sure you have permission to use the launch
site and use the designated paths.
Launch and land with care and where the bank has
vegetation.
Things to take in a waterproof bag (provided) to go
in the canoe:
charged mobile phone
first aid kit and antiseptic wipes
torch and spare batteries
waterproof clothes and spare warm clothes
sun screen, sun hat and sunglasses
hot and cold drinks plus lunch or snacks
anything you need to protect such as a camera
At the launch site…
Everyone must always wear a buoyancy aid when on
or near the water. Don’t remove it until you have left
the water’s edge.
Beware of Weil’s disease (leptospirosis) – it is very rare
but serious. Cover all cuts and grazes with waterproof
plasters.
On the water...
Canoes are light and easy to tip over. Keep the canoe
balanced at all times. Step into the middle when
getting in and out. Sit or kneel in the canoe – don’t
stand up or change places unless you can hold on to
the bank. Don’t lean over and don’t hit the bank.
Stay on the right hand side of the river or channel.
Don’t cut corners on bends. Keep close to the banks
unless advised otherwise.
Keep track of time – allow enough time for the return
journey. Make allowances for winds and currents which
may slow you down.
Paddle gently and at a distance from wildlife to
minimise disturbance.
Keep a lookout for other boats and anglers and give
them plenty of room – they may not have seen you.
Be considerate when entering other designated water
sports zones.
Keep clear of overhanging trees and branches.
Don’t grab hold of ropes from other boats, even if
moored.
For safety reasons don't drink alcohol on the water.
Clean your hands with antiseptic wipes before eating
or drinking.
Never enter the water to rescue someone – reach, or
throw a rope or anything that will float.
If you capsize stay with the canoe – it will float. Swim
with it to the bank, empty it out and use it to collect
anything lost overboard.
We need to minimise the spread
of invasive alien species such as
Dikerogammarus villosus or the
‘killer shrimp’. So after canoeing
please remember to:
Check equipment and clothing
for live organisms – particularly
in areas that are damp or hard
to inspect. If you come across
any killer shrimp, leave them at
the water body where you
found them.
Clean and wash all equipment,
footwear and clothing thoroughly.
Dry all equipment and clothing –
killer shrimp can live for up to
two weeks in moist conditions.
Make sure you don’t transfer
water to another place.
www.checkcleandry.com
EMERGENCY INFORMATION:
If you have any problems please contact your
Canoe Hire Centre. You can also contact Broads
Control on 01603 756056, staffed daily 9am-6pm
from April to October and 9am-5pm during the
winter. If the incident is more serious please call
999 or 112 and ask for the appropriate emergency
service, which may be the coastguard.